STARMASTER Planetarium Projector Issue: 2012-06

Planetarium projection

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The natural depiction of the night sky

STARMASTER is the Carl Zeiss plane-

tarium projector for domes of medium

size.

Radiant stars, as breathtaking as in

nature: optical-mechanical projectors

by Carl Zeiss are distinguished by the

precise simulation of the natural night

sky.

With a limiting size of 6.m55, the same

number of stars visible to the unaided

human eye is shown under optimal

observation conditions and in space.

No more, no less.

ZEISS fiber optics provides a brilliant

representation of the stars: a high

level of brightness combined with

small diameters. The starry sky does

not fade out when a video projection

is launched. STARMASTER is the ideal

optical-mechanical partner for com-

binations with the Carl Zeiss fulldome

systems such as powerdome®VELVET.

High-output LEDs are the light source

for the stars. They produce pure white

light so that all of the stars shine in

natural white. But the light spectrum of

the LED also makes it possible to filter

out reddish, yellowish and bluish star

colors. Thus, the bright stars are shown

in their true colors.

A scintillation device generates an

artificial flickering of the stars which

appears as natural as the real thing,

and includes all stars, not merely some

of the bright ones.

The use of the latest technology facili-

tates such an excellent representation

of star clusters and nebulas that you

can view them with binoculars. The

accurately detailed projection includes

weaker stars (for star clusters) and ac-

tual structures (galaxies and nebulae).

STARMASTER is available in various

versions. You decide whether you

want to integrate Sun, Moon, plan-

ets, constellations, didactic projectors

(astronomical grids, scales, markings)

and additional effect projectors in your

optical-mechanical system.

Starry sky

9,100 stars up to 6.m55

99 % of all projected stars appear below the resolution of the human eye

Milky Way: brightness can be cont-rolled seperately from stars

STARMASTER in the 18-meter dome of the

Asahikawa Science Center, Japan

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STARMASTER can be configured to

meet your requirements. The star field

and the white and blue effect lighting

for dome brightening and twilight are

basic features. All versions can be cou-

pled directly and synchronously with a

powerdome system by Carl Zeiss.

Model variations

STARMASTER Superior is the fully

configured version. If you are consider-

ing the combination with a fulldome

system, certain projections can be

adopted from the digital system.

These functions can be omitted in the

STARMASTER equipment.

The STARMASTER Classic version is

designed for presenting the stars alone.

Further configuration versions include

projectors for Sun, Moon and the

planets.

STARMASTER Superior with

the full range of features

and substructure cabinets

STARMASTER Attraction, starball version

with projectors for Sun and Moon on

substructure column

Model variations Starry sky Sun, Moon Planets Didactic projections

Substructure

STARMASTER Classic x – – – column

Attraction x x – – column

Premium x x x – double cabinet

Superior x x x x1 double cabinet

1) selectable

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The Starball

Stars

The twelve wide-angle projectors mak-

ing up the night sky are fitted in the

starball. Sirius, Canopus and the bright-

est nebulae are presented by special

projectors. Two further projectors deliv-

er a realistic picture of the Milky Way.

Sun and Moon

The projectors for Sun and Moon are

integrated in the starball. They are

positioned independently of each other

via the astronomical algorithms in the

control software.

The moon phase mechanism shows

even very small crescents in the imme-

diate vicinity of the Sun. The midnight

sun can be portrayed without obstruc-

tion. The sun projector includes an in-

tegrated sun eclipse mechanism with a

total, a ring-shaped and several partial

eclipses. In addition, a planet transit

and a reduced sun image for space

travel effects can also be demonstrat-

ed. Furthermore, you can use the sun

projector to present the gegenschein

(counterglow) - a weak circle of light

projected opposite to the Sun.

Didactic Projections

The projectors for the constellations of

the northern and southern hemispheres

are attached to the starball as well.

The great circles of equator and ecliptic

can be projected alternately with the

zodiacal constellation figures.

All constellations and zodiac figures

are included in the movements of the

firmament. Their designs are based on

classical, historical models.

Sun

Brightness to cast shadows

Solar eclipses

Planet transit

Reduced sun image

Gegenschein (counter glow)

Moon

Brightness to generate a full moon atmosphere

Visible surface details

Astronomically correct phase change

Automatic image rotation

True-to-life slender crescent

Projector for the Sun

Projector for the Moon

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Constellation figures

Separate projection of the zodiac figures and northern/southern constellations

Groups of figures are distinguished by color

Great circles

Meridian

Celestial equator und ecliptic

90° hour circle

180° vertical circle

Scales and Markings

Azimuth scale and zenith mark

Hour angle scale and celestial pole

Precession scale and pole of ecliptic

Shutter and Motion Control

The starball has three vertical motion

axes which are located above each

other. Rotations about these axes en-

able any astronomic motion process.

The real axes are arranged in such

a way that they correspond to the

diurnal motion, the change of the polar

altitude and the azimuth rotation. The

combined motion permits the genera-

tion of any desired virtual axes, e.g. for

the representation of precession, the

rotation about any desired celestial

pole or the presentation of celestial

motions on other bodies of the solar

system.

Fading out of projections for the

heavens on the dome horizon is ac-

complished by means of computer-

controlled fixed star shutters. For

installation in tilted auditoriums the

other projectors on the starball are also

equipped with computer-controlled

shutters instead of gravity shutters. The

advantages: the level of the horizon

can be adjusted via the programming;

panoramic projections and night sky

projections adapt to one another;

individual star fields can be faded in or

out as well.

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The Planet Projectors

Six projectors with two separately

controllable axes each are provided for

presenting the planets and other solar

system bodies. Installed on a support

immediately in front of the starball,

they generate nearly starshaped light

dots which are set to the respective

required brightness level. Mars appears

in its typical reddish tint.

By means of the software, planet

projections are included in topocentric

and other motions. The revolution of

the planets about the Sun can also be

simulated (orrery projections).

The planets are illuminated with ex-

tremely durable high-output LEDs.

Additional Equipment

Upon request, STARMASTER can be

equipped with a built-in lifting device.

This lowers the starball from the center

of the dome, thus facilitating shadow-

free projection from the edge of the

dome across the center of the dome.

A shooting star projector is available

as an option. It not only shows single

meteors but also showers.

Planets

Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn (default setting)

Brightness / color tint true-to-life

Independent control about two axes

Topocentric presentations

Planet Projectors and Additional Equipment

Planet projectors with LED light sources

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The Control System

All axis positions, brightness values and

other functions are calculated in real

time and can be controlled manually.

The correct astronomic parameters are

taken into consideration in the calcula-

tions for the positioning, speed chang-

es and brightness variations, in order to

achieve exact positioning of the starry

sky and the solar system within a time

frame of ±10,000 years.

The current software supports topo-

centric projections with all motion op-

tions (diurnal motion, annual motion,

precession, azimuth rotation, change in

pole altitude).

Despite all of this, the operation is

simple. Programming skills are not

required thanks to the graphic user

interface in conjunction with the ergo-

nomic layout of the operating panel.

All operating modes and functions can

be used simply by clicking on them

with the computer mouse.

The operating panel is roughly the size

of a computer keyboard and suffices

for all functions. This panel permits you

to carry out operations in real time and

interactively with the spectators.

There is no restriction on manual oper-

ation, but in many cases the programs

are automated. The automatic run

function can be used independently or

synchronized with other systems, e.g. a

sound source or other computers.

STARMASTER can be combined with

any Carl Zeiss powerdome fulldome

system. The digital planetarium func-

tions meticulously follow the starball

motions.

The operating system, based on Micro-

soft Windows®, is configured so that

upon agreement remote diagnoses, the

exchange of control data and software

updates can be accomplished over the

Internet.

The operating panel for the manual control of the

ZEISS planetarium systems.

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STARMASTER Planetarium

Version Superior/Premium Attraction/Classic

Dome diameter 14 m – 20 m (46 ft – 66 ft) 14 m – 24 m (46 ft – 79 ft)

Dome tilt 0° to 30° 0° to 30°

Max. height 2730 mm 2730 mm

Mounting surface substructure 424 mm x 1945 mm Ø 780 mm

Starball diameter 750 mm 750 mm

Max. diameter 2080 mm 1080 mm

Height of horizon 2200 mm 2200 mm

Projector lift (Option) 650 mm 530 mm

Weight max. 850 kg max. 400 kg

Starball/planet illumination LED LED

Operating unit

Operating panel (W x D x H) 450 mm x 250 mm x 50 mm

Operating desk upon requiry

Auditorium

Temperature +15°C to +30°C

Constancy of temperature ±1° / h

Relative humidity < 70%

Electrical power supply

Operating voltage 3 x 230/400 VAC ±10%L1, L2, L3, N, PE

3 x 230/400 VAC ±10%L1, L2, L3, N, PE

Fuses 3 x 25 A 3 x 25 A

Mains supply frequency 50/60 Hz 50/60 Hz

Power consumption max. 6.5 kVA max. 3 kVA

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Carl Zeiss AGPlanetarium Division07740 JENA, GERMANY

Phone: +49 3641 642406 Fax: +49 3641 643023 E-mail: planetarium@zeiss.de www.zeiss.de/planetariums

Specifications